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Thu Jan 11 2024
Doggystyle
Snoop Dogg
Walked around Edgewood while listening. Not as good as I'd hoped and bummed by the language and misogyny. But could have been worse.
3
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Fri Jan 12 2024
Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
quiet--Sean had one of his albums. Didn't really grab me but good music to fall asleep to.
3
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Sat Jan 13 2024
Live!
Fela Kuti
loved it, esp Ye Ye De Smell. What a treat!
5
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Sun Jan 14 2024
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
enjoyed this blast from my childhood--remember checking it out. Still, not a great album. I think even then I was a little disappointed by it.
3
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Mon Jan 15 2024
The Wildest!
Louis Prima
very nostalgic! So much fun and great to hear The Lip again, especially. Good walking music too!
4
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Tue Jan 16 2024
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
Enjoyed listening to this as I walked around Edgewood on MLK Jr Day. Quite nice! I have this on cassette I think. Maybe a CD too. Aged a lot better than Snoop Dogg but a better album to start with too.
4
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Wed Jan 17 2024
Orbital 2
Orbital
reminded me of an early Groove Armada but perhaps they are contemporary. Not bad but not my thing either
2
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Thu Jan 18 2024
GREY Area
Little Simz
not too interesting musically. I suppose a fresh voice but could have been more interesting.
2
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Fri Jan 19 2024
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
not my favorite album of his, but it's still a pretty good album!
3
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Sat Jan 20 2024
Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
ok, typical male lead singer voice of the late 90s early 2ks, some nice incorporation of electronic music though
3
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Sun Jan 21 2024
Music From The Penguin Cafe
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
good music for a hip brunch
3
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Mon Jan 22 2024
I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
prefer shoot out the lights but still pretty good
3
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Tue Jan 23 2024
The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
better than I thought it would be. some good guitar playing
3
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Wed Jan 24 2024
Fun House
The Stooges
great album which had some Doors-like moments. Amazing sax solo too. Really fun
5
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Thu Jan 25 2024
Lazer Guided Melodies
Spiritualized
Cowboy Junkies are rehearsing but their female singer doesn't show up, so they decide to go hang with Jesus and Mary Chain but get waylaid by Luna. Probably as good as the best of these, maybe better. Still, a little too much fade, though the first few songs got off to a good start.
4
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Fri Jan 26 2024
Copper Blue
Sugar
I wanted this to be a little better than it was, but still it was pretty good. Felt like classic American rock, in a sort of Wilco vein, if Wilco had drunk a lot of coffee and taken an enormous shit before playing and so felt lighter and a bit happier, or maybe just more satisfied. I admire their way of teasing a rhythm out of a long string of words, just wish it was all slightly more memorable.
3
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Sat Jan 27 2024
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
Great tight pop rock--hard to be both lush and tight at the same time--really good. Awful lyrics. Just awful. It doesn't help that I heard "I wanna be adored by you" as "I wanna be your dog." A rare album that would have been better, nearly, as an instrumental.
3
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Sun Jan 28 2024
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly
got off to a great start but I need to finish listening to it!
4
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Tue Jan 30 2024
The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
enjoyed this quite a bit, with the exception of the first song. good trance dance with a bit of the 80's spin me right round in there
3
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Wed Jan 31 2024
Brothers
The Black Keys
fun, bluesy, well done. probably should listen to it again. Nice!
4
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Thu Feb 01 2024
Arular
M.I.A.
omg I hated this so much, I'm sorry. I did listen to \"Paper Planes\" after (which I heard before but didn't realize it was her, and I do like that song), but this album felt like a teenage girl making songs in her room which were about as good as the songs I'd make in my room when I was a kid. Seriously, the cantankerous bitch in me feels she got an easy pass on that album because she's a minority and female and it was a sort of \"fresh voice\" kind of thing--I dunno. Not impressed.
1
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Fri Feb 02 2024
Os Mutantes
Os Mutantes
odd mix of a lot of 60s trends, kind of wandered through the early Beatles up to a few sort of Mama and Papa harmonies and then some wanky Doors keyboards and I never did figure out the language of most of the lyrics. I got the French and a few English lines, but is this Portuguese? Don't know; don't care; still a fun, if weird--dare I say mutant?--listen.
4
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Sat Feb 03 2024
Deja Vu
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Quite nice. Not my favorite of theirs (looking at you "almost cut my hair") but still good
3
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Sun Feb 04 2024
I See A Darkness
Bonnie "Prince" Billy
mellow but with an edge. prefer this sort of style to Nick Drake, if that's even a compare. not sure I need to hear any more though
4
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Mon Feb 05 2024
A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
she shines brightest on Do Re Mi and You Don't Own Me. Otherwise, as a debut album, I think she's still a work in progress (I miss you Preacher Man!)
3
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Tue Feb 06 2024
White Blood Cells
The White Stripes
Must be an early album because it's not all that great. There are some wonderful moments where you can see what could be--thinking of the language in the first song about the dirty ground and the cute song about being friends (did I hear that in Napoleon Dynamite?) as well as a few other flashes of genius. Outside of those moments, it felt as if they were still trying on genres, riffs, playing with volume, borrowing sounds--none of this bad, just not yet a coherent unique sound. At times the plodding rhymes matched the plodding drums to form a sort of unfortunate march.
3
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Wed Feb 07 2024
The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
Loved this, especially all the samples or just references to other songs (i.e. the way that guy said "leavin'" a few times and you knew he was thinking of "Leaving on a Jet Plane", and am I right in that at some point they referenced Lou Brock?) Very cool. I really enjoyed this.
4
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Thu Feb 08 2024
At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
Great blues, just not quite as soulful as my taste--reminds me of Robert Cray Band: really proficient with a slightly faster and smoother sound than I like in my blues (or rock).
4
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Fri Feb 09 2024
Roxy Music
Roxy Music
Really liked this. So much fun! A little bit all over the place but still rocking where it needed to be.
4
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Sat Feb 10 2024
Tidal
Fiona Apple
I hadn't heard this before but did recognize a few songs. She's a great songwriter, and the music was tight. What kept tripping me up was her voice--she sounded like she was straining a lot to stay within her range and this ended up limiting the songs and the music. Maybe she needs a vocal coach or maybe she's like Dylan in that some of her songs would be best performed by someone who has a better range.
3
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Sun Feb 11 2024
A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
Classic album with one side of greatness and the other side of not as great. Nice to hear the distinctive early Beatles sound again!
4
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Mon Feb 12 2024
Fragile
Yes
part of me wants to give this 5 stars because I believe they achieved their intention with this album: it's well executed, coherent, and consistent. The other part of me wants to give it 0 stars because I so much do not care for this type of music. I have no idea why anyone would listen to it. I can't imagine dancing to it and I don't think it's interesting enough to listen to on its own, and it's not ambient enough to be background. I'll cop out and give it a 3.
3
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Tue Feb 13 2024
2112
Rush
This was much less interesting than I wanted it to be. I didn't follow the rock opera as closely as perhaps I should have, and the songs on the second side seemed lame. I'm sorry, Rush-ians.
2
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Wed Feb 14 2024
Slayed?
Slade
Wow, I enjoyed this WAY more than I thought I would. Maybe it's because I've had prog rock for the past two albums. Definitely dated and definitely a lot of fun. This is an album you play when you're really fucked up and can't find your Deep Purple. Is it me or was there a Talking Heads Psycho Killer vibe to "I won't let it 'appen again"? Chef's kiss to the bangs on shirtless dude on the cover.
4
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Thu Feb 15 2024
Frank
Amy Winehouse
This really pissed me off. I'm tired of 1001 albums recommending a crappy first album when there are terrific later albums. Yet here we are. In Frank, Ms. Winehouse has yet to find her groove though there are glimmers of greatness, especially in the side B songs, such as "What is it about men." Her songwriting skills are as immature as her singing, but she will eventually (though not here) get there. The music is equally underwhelming; I can practically feel the musicians wanting to bust out of their sad little cage.
2
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Fri Feb 16 2024
Honky Tonk Heroes
Waylon Jennings
This is why I'm doing this project. Loved it and I never would have thought I'd love a Waylon Jennings album. Fantastic in every respect.
5
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Sat Feb 17 2024
All Directions
The Temptations
"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" is amazing, and there are some other good songs. "Run Charlie Run" is pretty hard to listen to. Torn on whether this is a 3 or a 4 by virtue of "Rolling Stone"
3
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Sun Feb 18 2024
Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
I'm afraid this one was lost on me. I didn't actively hate it though.
2
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Mon Feb 19 2024
I Am a Bird Now
Antony and the Johnsons
Reminded me a little of Nina Simone. Haunting but not my vibe.
2
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Tue Feb 20 2024
Back At The Chicken Shack
Jimmy Smith
enjoyed this expertly subdued jazz. For me, no particular standout song, I just liked how the entire album felt like a bunch of great musicians were chilling, having a mellow time.
4
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Wed Feb 21 2024
Picture Book
Simply Red
Album got off to a fun groove but then the soul vibe sort of thinned out, redeemed slightly by a nice cover of "Heaven" only to get destroyed by this horrible song Jericho. Now on the second side and I feel as if every song sounds like it was part of a Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack, though I do recognize the "holding on" song. "Red Box" approaches "Jericho" in awfulness in terms of lyrics, which is too bad because they can groove.
2
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Thu Feb 22 2024
Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
As much as I appreciate her style and substance, I'm just not a big fan of her music. I wouldn't turn it off, but I'm not sure how much I'd turn it on either.
3
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Fri Feb 23 2024
Pictures At An Exhibition
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
I'm giving this a 4 because I appreciate the attempt, and it made me laugh, and it didn't last all that long. Also because I suspect if I were on acid it might have blown my mind.
4
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Sat Feb 24 2024
Aja
Steely Dan
I'm not a Steely Dan fan yet somehow I recognized nearly every song on this album, so I've got to give them credit for sneaking their way into the vernacular.
4
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Sun Feb 25 2024
The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground
Amazing album which still sounds fresh, though I'll admit to never really liking "Black Angel's Death Song" all that much. But every other song is stellar and the guitars, the way it was recorded, and Nico's voice add so much texture and dimension--just superlative.
5
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Mon Feb 26 2024
Whatever
Aimee Mann
I enjoyed her lyrics more than I enjoyed the music or her voice--not that there was anything really wrong with those, but they didn't stand out as much as her lyrics where are really good. I'm not sure I would listen to this again, and no one song really stood out to me, though I have to give her credit for writing a song about Jacob Marley.
3
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Tue Feb 27 2024
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
Aged much better than I expected!
4
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Wed Feb 28 2024
Debut
Björk
What a strong debut! The music is terrific throughout; loved the drums on the first two songs especially and the layered sound in Venus as a Boy. Only weakness to me is her singing style and, at times, her voice (esp in Like Someone in Love)--I love the power of her voice just wish sometimes she worked more with the flow of the music rather than against it, and occasionally she doesn't hit her note.
4
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Thu Feb 29 2024
Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd
shine on you crazy diamond indeed.
5
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Fri Mar 01 2024
Chelsea Girl
Nico
The French have an expression "belle laide" which refers to a woman who is both beautiful and ugly and this is how I feel about her singing. I have no idea why this album is on this list. I bet Lenny Bruce would have laughed his ass off if he'd heard that eulogy.
2
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Sat Mar 02 2024
Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
Instant party. God bless you.
5
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Sun Mar 03 2024
Blackstar
David Bowie
1
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Mon Mar 04 2024
Buena Vista Social Club
Buena Vista Social Club
This just isn't my cup of tea, or cup of Cuban coffee. I remember it made a huge impact when it came out!
3
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Tue Mar 05 2024
Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
Probably my most listened-to Dylan album despite it having Rainy Day Woman, a song I'm happy to never hear again. But that's not Dylan's fault! With songs like Visions of Joanna, Sad-Eyed Lady, Sooner or Later, I Want You, and Stuck Inside of Mobile, it's easy to see why Dylan got a Nobel Prize. I'm giving this one a 5 due to the greatness of the great songs, though it does have a few weak spots.
5
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Wed Mar 06 2024
S.F. Sorrow
The Pretty Things
Wow, this was a treat. I can't believe this was my first listen. I'm sorry, Pretty Things, that you were so ahead of your time. I wonder how much they influenced the Beatles? or maybe vice versa. Regardless, I really enjoyed it.
4
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Fri Mar 08 2024
A Date With The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
Really enjoyed this and not just because my 6th grade science teacher, Phil Everly, was their cousin. Their version of Love Hurts is esp great, though nothing can rival the Parsons / Harris version. I also like Lucille a lot--perhaps a tip of the hat to Pretty Woman?--not sure of the chronology. Only the first song and the album titled seemed dated to me.
4
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Sat Mar 09 2024
Smash
The Offspring
One of reasons I'm enjoying this project is to learn, finally, who sang that song I hated. Also, now I realize the source of that male lead singer sound I associate with the 90s--this dude. Along with the singer in Weezer. They should be put in an arena and whine to the death.
I am grateful that the lyrics to "Smash" did not include the line I heard as "I'm not a tranny asshole, I don't give a fuck." And I did actually enjoy the song "Gotta Get Away," and hearing the other songs I recognized was sort of fun.
3
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Sun Mar 10 2024
Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
Nice recording with good musicians but I just never got that into it
3
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Mon Mar 11 2024
Histoire De Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
I'm sorry. I can't. Don't hate me.
1
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Tue Mar 12 2024
The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
better than I thought it would be. some good guitar.
3
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Wed Mar 13 2024
Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
A lot going on--I like Kind of Blue more.
3
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Thu Mar 14 2024
Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
What a privilege to hear this record. I don't know Spanish so quite a bit flew over my head but the music is fantastic and I love the little nods to different genres, e.g. the bit of disco in the first song, and later the West Side Story nod, as well as the big band bits. These guys are large and in charge!
5
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Fri Mar 15 2024
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
probably one of my most-listened to albums of all time.
5
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Sat Mar 16 2024
Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
enjoyed but wasn't blown away by this
4
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Sun Mar 17 2024
Countdown To Ecstasy
Steely Dan
I did not enjoy this as much as I did "Aja." None of the songs seemed as good to me as the best on Aja, and I didn't get into the backup chorus sound.
3
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Mon Mar 18 2024
Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy
Got off to a great start with lots of references to the amazing It Takes a Nation of Millions... but then it didn't deliver much beyond a reworking of their earlier stuff. I enjoyed it but it's not great the way A Nation of Millions is.
3
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Tue Mar 19 2024
3 + 3
The Isley Brothers
I'd kind of forgotten about the Isley Brothers until I heard this--so much fun. I love the guitars and the extended version of Summer Breeze.
4
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Wed Mar 20 2024
Le Tigre
Le Tigre
I've always loved Deceptacon but never listened to this album before. Lots of fun energy and smart lyrics make it entertaining though overall it feels a little more Hot Topic than hot music.
4
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Thu Mar 21 2024
The Nightfly
Donald Fagen
I didn't have much of a reaction to this--I was working as I listened to it and it was pleasant and unobtrusive and there were only a few minutes where I stopped to listen again or to start over--so not much of an impact on me.
3
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Fri Mar 22 2024
Dookie
Green Day
I kept expecting them to break into the theme song from "Friends"
3
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Sat Mar 23 2024
Paul Simon
Paul Simon
I remember checking this album out from the public library when I was a kid and even then I was a little disappointed by it
3
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Sun Mar 24 2024
Out Of The Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
Enjoyed this so much more than I expected to. Fun shades of early rock and blues, only regret is the "singing dolphin" style of the voices.
4
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Mon Mar 25 2024
Django Django
Django Django
listened to the whole album but it never interested me
2
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Tue Mar 26 2024
Moon Safari
Air
never listened to Air before and enjoyed the vibe. I think this would be a great album to listen to while driving at night.
4
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Wed Mar 27 2024
Justified
Justin Timberlake
I thought this would be a lot better. I mean, I thought I probably wouldn't like it but I had no idea it would be this bad.
1
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Thu Mar 28 2024
Elephant Mountain
The Youngbloods
I enjoyed it but it didn't grab my attention too often. If it came on the radio, I would have listened to it, wondered who it was, thought fondly of it, and then probably never listened again.
3
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Fri Mar 29 2024
Scum
Napalm Death
Wow that was a thing. And it could have been worse. It could have been longer. And, actually, worse.
2
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Sat Mar 30 2024
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would, but I wish her voice had a little more flexibility.
3
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Sun Mar 31 2024
Back to Basics
Christina Aguilera
great voice wish she had better taste
3
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Mon Apr 01 2024
Nick Of Time
Bonnie Raitt
not exactly to my taste but solid album. I owned this in the early 90s during a period where I owned only a boom box and a few cassettes and this was one of them so I listened to it a lot more than I would have otherwise.
4
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Tue Apr 02 2024
The Bends
Radiohead
it was fine; none of Radiohead so far has ever gotten my attention. I didn't like the way they recorded it (or maybe it's my headphones?)--sounded deliberately hissy and fuzzy to me.
3
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Wed Apr 03 2024
Hysteria
Def Leppard
occasionally it was better than I expected
2
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Fri Apr 05 2024
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
Joni Mitchell
got off to a rough start, esp with the Jungle song but picked up with some nice jazz tones toward the end.
3
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Sat Apr 06 2024
Electric Warrior
T. Rex
Giving it a 4 mostly on the strength of Get It On which is such a great song. The other songs weren't up to that level but some weren't too bad
4
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Sun Apr 07 2024
The Man Who
Travis
I'd never heard of them before. Like a proto-coldplay. I kept hoping they would break into a really good song--they always seemed on the verge but then never quite there.
3
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Mon Apr 08 2024
Lam Toro
Baaba Maal
feel like a location scout reviewing this: not something I would listen to regularly but rather use strategically for atmosphere or in a particular setting.
3
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Tue Apr 09 2024
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Love, I can see this becoming one of my car cds where I just listen to it obsessively for a year or two. Much better than I'd thought it would be.
5
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Wed Apr 10 2024
The College Dropout
Kanye West
no words
2
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Thu Apr 11 2024
Brutal Youth
Elvis Costello
Elvis has this thing where he decides if he just sings things in certain ways they're automatically melodic and they just aren't. Pony St. is an example of this but he does this so much that I wonder if maybe the songs of Elvis I actually do like are accidents. Perhaps I don't really like Elvis, just the few "off" songs that happen to match my taste.
This is my first time listening to this album and I read "kinder murder" with a German understanding of "kinder" and I'm a little bummed that the song isn't about killing kids.
Now he's on 13th steps and I'm quite happy. This is the Elvis I like, nay, love. Thank you, Elvis!
This is hell is pretty funny; Just About Glad and All the Rage are also good.
3
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Fri Apr 12 2024
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The Smashing Pumpkins
my ex used to listen to this album and so I've already paid my dues. I'm sure it's fine if only I could remember it....
3
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Sat Apr 13 2024
1984
Van Halen
lots of fun though not too my taste. Guitar's great and I love the bouncy drums.
4
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Sun Apr 14 2024
Youth And Young Manhood
Kings of Leon
Never listened to them before and really liked their style and sound. I'll be listening to this one again.
4
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Mon Apr 15 2024
American Pie
Don McLean
hadn't listened to this album in decades--used to check it out from the library when I was a kid. Enjoyed the whole thing, though, Vincent and American Pie are clearly the best of the bunch.
4
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Tue Apr 16 2024
Hot Buttered Soul
Isaac Hayes
So disappointed. It's like he channeled Rex Harrison and just talked his way through it.
2
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Wed Apr 17 2024
Henry's Dream
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I don't really even like the Nick Cave songs that I pretend to like and none of them were on this album so what's a girl to do? I'm giving him a 3 because at least it was well-executed.
3
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Thu Apr 18 2024
Truth And Soul
Fishbone
omg I enjoyed this so much. Lots of fun funk, good guitar, humor in a few lyrics, and always rocking.
4
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Fri Apr 19 2024
Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
The Kinks
I usually listen to the Kink Kronikles which are great but this was a wonderful reminder of what you miss when you listen to a compilation. Great album with the usual mix of highs and low but they stay on theme and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
4
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Sat Apr 20 2024
Elephant
The White Stripes
terrific--liked this album much more than the other white stripes on the list.
4
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Sun Apr 21 2024
Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
Fantastic album that blew my mind the first time and still does. Manic depression is one of my favorite Hendrix songs.
5
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Mon Apr 22 2024
Behaviour
Pet Shop Boys
this was fine. Occasionally the lyrics interested me, occasionally the music got my attention, but mostly it sort of ran in the background.
3
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Tue Apr 23 2024
Music in Exile
Songhoy Blues
This was more rocking than I expected and I really liked it. I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad that I couldn't understand the lyrics.
4
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Wed Apr 24 2024
Pelican West
Haircut 100
this album reminded me of how hard it is to make good pop music
3
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Thu Apr 25 2024
Crocodiles
Echo And The Bunnymen
I remember buying this album when it first came out and not liking it all that much. The lead singer's voice is gorgeous but the songs didn't grab me, with the exception of "Rescue."
3
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Fri Apr 26 2024
Tigermilk
Belle & Sebastian
not my thing
2
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Sat Apr 27 2024
OK Computer
Radiohead
dense, lush, layered, probably missed a lot of the references but this album seems a lot more interesting than the other two albums by them I've heard (The Bends and Hail to the Thief). Worthy of a few more plays!
4
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Sun Apr 28 2024
Remedy
Basement Jaxx
Enjoyed this--good background music which was both upbeat and occasionally entertainingly distracting. Not at all spacey, which I liked.
3
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Mon Apr 29 2024
Faith
George Michael
the music shines, crackles, pops and Michael's voice is fab if only if only if only the lyrics were stronger. A George Michael / Robyn collab would've been amazing. And is Robyn on this list? WTF?
3
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Tue Apr 30 2024
On The Beach
Neil Young
This was a surprise in that I'm surprised I liked it so much. I figured I'd already heard all the good Neil Young songs, though I now realize that no, I've heard the best Neil Young songs... I felt it was blessed with a hint of Bob Dylan in places...
4
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Wed May 01 2024
Hunting High And Low
a-ha
I only listened to the first 6 songs and none were as fun and pop-y as Take on Me. In fact, they kind of sucked and were a little inane. So I stopped listening. Sorry Aha
2
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Thu May 02 2024
Urban Hymns
The Verve
Torn on this because I really love the first two songs and the rest of the album seems like a pale imitation. I'm giving it a 4 for those two songs (Bittersweet Symphony and Sonnet). Really wish Velvet Morning has been a remake of Some Velvet Morning....
4
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Fri May 03 2024
Moondance
Van Morrison
Few albums summon a vibe, an atmosphere, an era as well as this one does. Too bad Van Morrison seems to be a jerk irl.
5
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Sat May 04 2024
Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
I'm not sure it's possible for me to appreciate this album or its impact given that I grew up hearing music like this--it never was fresh in the way it must have been to be an adult and hear music like this for the first time. Still, the swinging piano, sax, vocals, everything are so expertly done in this casual offhand way... genius!
5
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Sun May 05 2024
One World
John Martyn
trippy in that the lyrics and music seemed to trip, stumble, and fall along, but in a good way. I'd never hear of this guy nor of the album and at first blush I worried I'd be listening to whales, but the Island label usually comes through. Really enjoyed it, though could have done without the big muff song.
4
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Mon May 06 2024
Dry
PJ Harvey
I respect PJ but don't actually enjoy her music that much
3
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Tue May 07 2024
Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Some great songs, especially Stir it up and Stop that train, but I disliked a few other songs so in balance, we've got a 3.
3
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Wed May 08 2024
Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Uneven album but I love the musical range and when he's on, he's on fire! Enjoyed this more than I expected to.
4
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Thu May 09 2024
Live At The Regal
B.B. King
I loved this so much.... and I immediately need to go out and hear live music regularly. I miss living in Chicago!
5
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Fri May 10 2024
Very
Pet Shop Boys
first few songs soared by but Yesterday When I was Mad caught my ear, as well as Theatre, the next song. After that, the other songs continued bopping along, maybe One in a Million stood out too. In general, not to my taste, and I do wish they would make better use of the backing vocals (Go West felt a little Village People-ish and elsewhere the backing felt a little like a sports chant).
3
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Sat May 11 2024
Heroes
David Bowie
This was never one of my favorite Bowie albums so it's probably been decades since I last heard it, if ever. I liked the funky, muddy Beauty and the Beast and Heroes is awesome, naturally, though sounds a little wheezy. Not much else grabs except for V-2 Schneider, though in general all of side two is fine as ambient music. Entire album feels like a transition for a great artist: new sounds & instruments and sometimes it works and sometimes, well, sometimes you get "Secret Life of Arabia." Have to give it a 4 just for Heroes though.
4
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Sun May 12 2024
You've Come a Long Way Baby
Fatboy Slim
Until I listened to this album, I didn't realize I knew, and liked, quite a bit of Fatboy Slim! A couple of great dance songs with a few not-as-good beats.
4
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Mon May 13 2024
Third
Soft Machine
A bunch of wankers wanking. The last tune (and I use this term loosely) was the best of the bunch. Maybe I should have hit the bong before listening.
2
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Tue May 14 2024
Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
I was 13 when this album came out and I checked it out from the public library. I liked it well enough to listen to it a few times and then never listened to it again until today (05.14.2024). If Fleetwood Mac came on the radio, sometimes I listened, sometimes not. Whatever. But when I looked at the track listing today, I was blown away by how many great songs are on this album. Nearly every album has a few weaker tracks: here there's Oh Daddy and that's about it. Impressively fun pop.
5
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Wed May 15 2024
Live Through This
Hole
I hate to say how much I loved this album. Hate because everything I've read or seen about Courtney Love suggests she's a narcissistic bully but what can I do? This isn't about her. So far, this album, Steely Dan's Aja, and the Fela Kuti album are the only "new-to-me" albums from this project that I've listened to multiple times.
5
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Thu May 16 2024
Another Green World
Brian Eno
Sky Saw got off to a good start until the singing happened... rest of the album was better but never as good as I wanted it to be.
3
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Fri May 17 2024
Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
classic country! Great songs, though most of them are covers (I think). There was a moment where I could almost see her in a duet with Buddy Holly but then I woke up.
4
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Sat May 18 2024
The World is a Ghetto
War
I like the music more than I liked the songs themselves--their way of singing didn't resonate with me.
3
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Sun May 19 2024
Rattlesnakes
Lloyd Cole And The Commotions
I'm sure they have many fans because they seem to write and perform perfectly fine tunes which just don't capture my interest.
3
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Mon May 20 2024
Shleep
Robert Wyatt
His voice was a real detractor for me--I didn't like its thin meandering quality. The music meandered a bit too, too much for me. I'm upgrading this from a 2 to a 3 because I did enjoy the Positively Bob tribute.
3
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Tue May 21 2024
Zombie
Fela Kuti
This album gave me a huge burst of energy and picked up my mood despite its critical, political content. I love his rhythms and orchestrations and general vibe here though I like his live album with Ginger Baker more.
4
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Wed May 22 2024
Life Thru A Lens
Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams was new to me and I'm really impressed with his songwriting, singing, and general vibe. Clever guy who seems to have fought a few demons.
4
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Thu May 23 2024
Boston
Boston
Really consistent album--strong sound and production. I'm impressed with how well I remember these songs given that I didn't particularly like them when they came out. My nostalgia makes me want to give it a 4 but the teenage snob in me says give it a 3.
3
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Fri May 24 2024
Opus Dei
Laibach
Only two songs in and I'm resisting the desire to march, march, march away. I just realized I hate industrial music more than I hate zydeco.
2
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Sat May 25 2024
Coat Of Many Colors
Dolly Parton
I'm not too familiar with Dolly Parton's oeuvre as we say but Nashville is my favorite movie of all time and I actually listen to its soundtrack as if those were "real" songs, meaning I actually enjoy the inanity of lines like "we must be doing something right to last 200 years." So when the title song to this album started I immediately turned to the track list of Nashville to figure out which song was imitating this one, and then as her album progressed and as I kept looking at the Nashville listing, I realized how beautifully they align. I'm listening to The Mystery of the Mystery right now, and well, I think the title speaks for itself. Honestly, I think Nashville's better because it's got two bonus tracks: It don't worry me and I'm easy. I'm sure Dolly has great songs and albums but I don't think this is one of them. Early Morning Breeze is the only standout (which aligns with Bluebird on Nashville, fyi). Tell me that A Better Place to Live is not Keep a-Going.
2
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Sun May 26 2024
My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts
Brian Eno
Between David Byrne and Philip Glass is Brian Eno and this collaboration makes the chain complete. It is true that my 80s anxiety and angst came out with Mea Culpa and I almost had a nervous breakdown but this is part of the trip. Ah, good times... And with some serious funk making the avant garde bits more interesting than indulgent
4
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Mon May 27 2024
Shalimar
Rahul Dev Burman
I need more context. I looked this guy up and he's made hundred of Bollywood-style movies; maybe he invented this genre? That's amazing but I'm not sure why this album / soundtrack? of all the hundreds he's done. The Western sampling in a few songs is cute but, again, not sure how groundbreaking or interesting any of this is.
3
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Tue May 28 2024
Axis: Bold As Love
Jimi Hendrix
A little more laid back than Are You Experienced and still terrific. Bold as Love is my favorite track, with Castles in the Sand and Spanish Castle Magic also good.
4
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Wed May 29 2024
Veckatimest
Grizzly Bear
I listened to this on a plane and maybe it was the ambient noise but this album seemed fine but didn't make much of an impression.
3
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Thu May 30 2024
Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
Jonathan Richman's angsty quirky spawn. I like their homespun sound and I think there was a xylophone in there at some point. And, as with Jonathan R., I enjoyed a song or two and then felt happy to move on (though I did listen to the whole thing).
3
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Fri May 31 2024
Stardust
Willie Nelson
mellow versions of older pop standards. I enjoyed Willie's stylings but wasn't blown away (nor did I think I was intended to be).
3
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Sat Jun 01 2024
Madman Across The Water
Elton John
Managed to avoid Elton until now, though not for any particular reason other than that the songs I heard never compelled me to listen to more. Is it just me or do he and Cher, at times, sound alike? Never before realized that he's singing Levon and not "leave on." Tiny Dancer has not gotten better with age. I suspect there's an Elton John album I would like because I do like "Rocket Man" but this album is not the one for me.
2
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Sun Jun 02 2024
Black Holes and Revelations
Muse
Lush, layered, symphonic, and what a terrific voice for the lead singer. Never heard this before, so I've missed out. Thought Hoodoo was the weakest link until I heard the "loved for who I am/ missed the opportunity to be a better man." So romantic!
5
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Mon Jun 03 2024
Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub
The fuzzy quality to the sound made me question my headphones. I appreciate their consistency more than I do their music, which is solid, just not for me.
3
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Tue Jun 04 2024
At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
love love love I am so unworthy of Muddy Waters.
5
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Wed Jun 05 2024
Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
Not a huge Sinatra fan--he never sounds quite as loose as I think he wants to sound. Still, can't complain--he's working it here. But the orchestra is fabulous. I wish the whole album was just them riffing off these standards. Feels like Sinatra's reigning them in.
3
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Thu Jun 06 2024
Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
Never heard of them before. They couple bouncy pop with quirky background sounds and slightly fuzzy vocals--reminds me of the kind of band only the cool kids knew about. Basement Scene sounds like the Everly Brothers on acid, and what's not to like about that? Elsewhere, they sound like the sadly pissed-off children of Jesus and Mary Chain who wished their parents let them outside to ride bikes like the other kids. Nice sax in Coronado! He Would Have Laughed is a beautiful end to an album that has definitely been a journey--a good one.
5
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Fri Jun 07 2024
Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
Sometimes a little too "concept" heavy (eg Voices of Old People and Old Friends in particular). Bookends the song / theme is beautiful, and throughout they punch up their folksy acoustic sound with bright electric bursts of great pop. Hazy Shade of Winter is so so good, it alone warrants the 5
5
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Sat Jun 08 2024
Bad
Michael Jackson
I wanted to like this so much more than I did--I'm not a big Michael Jackson fan though I love a few of songs, just not the ones on this album (though Man in the Mirror is great)
3
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Sun Jun 09 2024
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
I bought this soon after stumbling across "Papa Was a Rodeo" and once drove from Seattle to Durham NC listening only to 69 Love Songs. I stopped off at Jimmy's in Chicago for a beer and when I sat down at the bar, the bartender put on a CD before taking my order. It was Vol 1 of 69 Love Songs.
5
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Mon Jun 10 2024
Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
Talented musicians who enjoy crude riffs off traditional Irish folk music. After a song or two, I grew less interested. Grateful this album doesn't have their xmas song about the drunks in lockup.
2
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Tue Jun 11 2024
Surfer Rosa
Pixies
Just the boost I needed this morning: thick bouncy rocking pop with quirky lyrics--lots of fun packed into 33 minutes. Gigantic was the only song I recognized and what a great song that is. This is an album I'll definitely listen to again. Thank you, Pixies!
5
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Wed Jun 12 2024
Oracular Spectacular
MGMT
off to a great trippy, pop start though I wish the sound wasn't quite as fuzzy. Love the 70s nostalgia in Electric Feel. Worried that the album was taking a dive with the song after Kids but then Pieces of What came on and was happy again. Terrific album: each song feels like a blend of influence and innovation. Only complaint is that the title sounds like it came from Harry Potter.
4
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Thu Jun 13 2024
Casanova
The Divine Comedy
breezy referential British pop that's not to my taste but is well done
3
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Fri Jun 14 2024
Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
Not my favorite Prince album (I'm I the only one who likes 1999 best?) but I love his guitar. Wish the drums felt a little more natural.
4
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Sat Jun 15 2024
KIWANUKA
Michael Kiwanuka
I'm digging the mid-70s vibe to it--surprised this is from 2019! Kiwanuka's voice is rich and heartfelt. Beautiful album.
4
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Sun Jun 16 2024
Kenza
Khaled
I enjoyed the mix of styles and languages on this album.
3
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Mon Jun 17 2024
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
Chain of Fools and Groovin are the standouts here. Never been a fan of Natural Woman.
4
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Tue Jun 18 2024
Young Americans
David Bowie
love this album, smooth laid back soul sound which is a little different from the Diamond Dogs and Ziggy Bowie and still terrific. Young Americans and Fame are especially awesome and Fascination is also great.
5
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Wed Jun 19 2024
The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators
The 13th Floor Elevators
I'd never associated the name of this band with "You're Gonna Miss Me"--for some reason I thought the 13th Floor Elevators were a late 80s/early 90s band. So I wasn't all that excited to listen but the minute the first song started, my mood brightened. Rocking greatness! Love the harmonica. And now I'm being led down a mossy acid path into the rest of the album.
Quick takes: Quite happy though Roller Coaster isn't as good a ride as "You're Gonna Miss Me."
I wish Eric Burdon was singing Splash One instead of the guy who is.
Reverberation would be better if they muttered "and dance" each time after they said reverberation.
Don't Fall Down is quite earnest and I dig it.
Fire Engine brings everything together: rock rhythm, kind of bad vocal effects (is someone trying to imitate a fire engine?), urgent vocals--like if you'd only listen the world would be a much better place, and most importantly, just lots of fun. I want to play it loud and do the frug while some dude sings about taking a trip to an empty place.
Through the Rhythm reminds me of an earlier question: what is that sound that sounds like someone is doing the scales up and down with their lips? Is that what that is? Omg it just started again with You Don't Know. What is that sound? I heard it earlier but tried to get it out of my mind. I just looked them up on wikipedia and omfg that sound is, I believe, an ELECTRIC JUG. Nothing says 60s more than an electric jug. Also, I do not like Electric Jug. I do not like it.
Onto Kingdom of Heaven--a slow burn which sounds like something they play on the ABC Afterschool Special on the dangers of drugs: heroine puffs pot and next thing you know she's swirling around the stars as the Kingdom of Heaven plays.
Monkey Island--This is a little more bluesy omg someone is now making little monkey sounds. What is it with the 60s and monkeys? Monkees, Kinks' Apeman, Planet of the Apes, etc.
Tried to Hide reminds me that I do not like Electric Jug.
I think their rhythms and guitar work is really outstanding. Downgrading for the jug.
4
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Thu Jun 20 2024
Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
Never been a big Police fan, but they've aged well, or I haven't. I like Message in a Bottle more than I did before, though the rasta sound Sting assumes is unfortunate. And as the album progresses, I realize again that I'm not really a Police fan. Just not that into them. However, I hung in there until Any Other Day came on and then, listening to it, decided life's short and stopped turned the whole thing off.
2
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Fri Jun 21 2024
First Band On The Moon
The Cardigans
First time listen. Song #1 is an odd and interesting blend of swirling sixties sounds (think soundtrack to A Man and a Woman) with some nice electric riffs. I wish the singer's voice, the lyrics, and the flute were all a little better. The 2nd song is just stupid in the way that 90s song about being a bitch is kind of stupid. Now it's continuing, so this is how it's gonna be: trite lyrics sung in a girly voice with some great instrumentation. Things pick up with Step On Me but I question my commitment to this sparkle motion. Lovefool's on and, yep, I've heard this one and congrats Cardigans, you just got another star because this is really good.
3
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Sat Jun 22 2024
Different Class
Pulp
Wow, seriously great album. Sorry I missed out on Pulp when they first came out--they're terrific. First time new-to-me music reminded me of David Bowie.
5
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Sun Jun 23 2024
21
Adele
Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, I'll Be Waiting, and the cover of the Cure's Lovesong are terrific. Elswehere I think she oversells it but small complaint. I don't think this album is overproduced but her voice, persona, everything is so huge that I'd love to hear her in an even more laidback role.
4
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Mon Jun 24 2024
Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
I never listened to this album before but I know so many of the songs I'm once again blown away by his Nobel-prize-winning genius. What a gift. So many amazing songs, lines, etc. Before, if I listened to an album of his rather than a compilation, I'd listen to Blonde on Blonde but I think I need to switch to this one for a while--beautiful album and there's no need to skip the overplayed Rainy Day Women on this one.
5
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Tue Jun 25 2024
Aladdin Sane
David Bowie
never one of my favorite Bowie albums but I'm enjoying the jazzy stylings in the title track and the piano throughout the album is great (almost as if he just discovered the piano). Music bounces, rocks, rolls, and drives though Panic in Detroit, Cracked Actor, andthe Let's Spend the Night Together cover though the songs themselves aren't so great. Time is weak but builds to occasional great spots. Jean Genie is the Bowie I know and love.
3
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Wed Jun 26 2024
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
For about 2 years this was the only album I listened to while driving. It was all I needed.
5
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Thu Jun 27 2024
...The Dandy Warhols Come Down
The Dandy Warhols
much better than I expected given the name but I am sorry it's not dandier. I liked the fuzzy sound of the album and thought the first four songs were terrific, and then it just became a little more of the same. torn between a 3 and a 4 on this one.
3
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Fri Jun 28 2024
The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
Their name is accurate and this is unfortunate.
3
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Sat Jun 29 2024
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
It was probably around 1978 and I was babysitting. I checked out their record collection and I had to choose between this and Bread's "Baby I'm a-want you." So glad I chose Dylan. What a great album. From "A Hard Rain" to "Don't think twice" to "Blowin in the wind" to "Girl from North Country" to "Masters of War"--blows my mind how good a writer he is.
5
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Sun Jun 30 2024
The Scream
Siouxsie And The Banshees
I've never been a fan of them --I listened a bit when their song "Spellbound" was big and they just didn't appeal to me and still don't. When I listen to them, I feel like a woman is yelling at me while a bunch of people mess with instruments.
2
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Mon Jul 01 2024
Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Red Hot Chili Peppers
love this album--I bought it when it first came out and it still sounds great. Their funky rock works throughout and their bass player is amazing, in addition to Keidis (sp?) great vocals.
5
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Tue Jul 02 2024
Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
laid back political album has aged well. Such a cool approach to the Black Power themes, I could listen to this album all day long.... love the drums especially.
5
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Wed Jul 03 2024
Illmatic
Nas
The first three or so songs were the best--especially the trumpet solo on Life's a Bitch. Lyrics throughout are really strong complicated raps with the usual explicit language--crazy rhyme schemes! I don't think the music stands up to the raps though and there isn't too much here that sticks with me after it's over. I looked Nas up after it was over and read that he was only 20 when it came out--impressive debut.
3
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Thu Jul 04 2024
Bug
Dinosaur Jr.
First song's the best, some great guitar and instrumentals throughout but most of the songs aren't that interesting or memorable
3
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Fri Jul 05 2024
Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
I'm not sure what it takes to get in the headspace to create and perform this album but whatever it took was worth it. Amazing, gritty, raunchy journey from start to end.
5
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Sat Jul 06 2024
Harvest
Neil Young
Think I'll pack it in and buy a pickup--great start to a great album. Whenever I hear it, I'm taken back immediately to the apartment where I first heard it. Such nostalgia! No idea what it would sound like to someone hearing it for the first time these days... Still, terrific.
5
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Sun Jul 07 2024
Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
I respect this more than I did when it first came out but I'm still not a fan.
3
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Mon Jul 08 2024
Microshift
Hookworms
never heard of them before and despite the awful band name and album title, I really enjoyed this! Sort of surreal, sort of ambient, sort of rock adds up to a mellow and interesting album. Easy on the ears without being boring.
4
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Tue Jul 09 2024
Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
Great piano-led jazz trio playing beautifully. Wish I could have been there, though I don't think I have the ears or understanding to fully appreciate it.
5
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Wed Jul 10 2024
Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
for fans of the soundtrack to A Man and A Woman.... the second side that features Jobim is weaker to me. I love Getz sax tone--not that I know anything about that--just sounds distinctly breathy and laid back to me.
4
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Thu Jul 11 2024
New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
Simple Minds
unobtrusive for better and for worse.
3
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Fri Jul 12 2024
Dig Me Out
Sleater-Kinney
Wow. This really sucks. Seriously, it's an insult to musicians everywhere. It's not even bad in a good way. It's just stupid. I made it as far as halfway through "Words and Guitar" and than I cracked. I do love the name though; I remember seeing that exit on I-5 around Olympia and doing a double take.
1
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Sat Jul 13 2024
Machine Head
Deep Purple
I've always liked Smoke on the Water but if this is our only Deep Purple album, then I wish it had Hush on it, though I suppose that earlier album is worse overall. This was pretty good--also liked Pictures of Home a lot.
4
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Sun Jul 14 2024
Our Aim Is To Satisfy
Red Snapper
in Shell Back is the woman repeating "she's gonna get me like cheese barn"? asking for a friend. The entire album made me feel a little nauseated.
2
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Mon Jul 15 2024
Fever To Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
my favorite songs have an element of Velvet Underground to them, a sort of pared down repetitive thrum with Karen O's voice--this works. Most of the time, though, it doesn't really, not for me.
3
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Tue Jul 16 2024
Revolver
Beatles
I'm embarrassed to admit that I've probably only listened to this album once before. I think I probably put it on when I was 11 or 12 and didn't care for it as much as the others and so that was that. So listening to it now was like hearing it for the first time, which was a treat. I have to give it 5 stars for the standout songs (Eleanor Rigby, Good Day Sunshine) but as an album it doesn't cohere as well as most of their others.
5
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Wed Jul 17 2024
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
I liked this more than I thought I would. I thought I would hate it. Giving it 3 because I do like Solsbury Hill.
3
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Thu Jul 18 2024
Bummed
Happy Mondays
They sound like they're capable of making good music, just not on this album. The first song was offensive, the rest just not that good, though I appreciate how they can maintain a groove.
2
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Fri Jul 19 2024
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
love this album. I think Deja Vu might be my favorite album of theirs but this one is still a classic.
5
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Sat Jul 20 2024
Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
this was a lot of fun--a dip into another era of popular music
5
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Sun Jul 21 2024
Drunk
Thundercat
Enjoyed the smooth stylings though the lyrics generally weren't quite up to the music. Not something I'll listen to again though, just not my thing.
3
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Mon Jul 22 2024
Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
This didn't work for me. The electronic beats were almost nauseating--the music needed to be thicker, or have a fuller sound or something, and I thought the lyrics were often not that interesting. I love the name of the band and the name of the songs, but the repetition / electronic dance aspect was kind of boring to me.
3
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Tue Jul 23 2024
Paranoid
Black Sabbath
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to. Even the more inane lyrics are delivered with a grinding intensity that works. Caution: Iron Man will get in your head and for the next few hours everything you do will be done to that rhythm.
4
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Wed Jul 24 2024
In The Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra
Apparently, I'm not a big fan of Frank Sinatra.
3
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Thu Jul 25 2024
Kollaps
Einstürzende Neubauten
I can't say I really enjoyed this but I also didn't mind it either. It's sounds like a bunch of Germans went into a hardware store and made some instruments and then started screaming and yelling while playing them. They do sound better than my description--at least they don't have the nauseating repetition of industrial music.
3